Simultaneous application of silver nanoparticles with different crease resistant finishes

Textiles, especially those made of natural fibers, are suitable medium for the growth of microorganisms which causes disease transmission, stink, colorful spots, and reduction in fabric strength. This research focuses on the antimicrobial finishing of cotton fabrics using colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles. Due to the difficulties of adding a new step to the finishing process of cotton textiles, efforts have been made to combine the antimicrobial treatment with the conventional finishing processes. For this purpose two chemical finishes of Fixapret ECO as a crosslinking agent and Cellofix ME as a resin former have been used in anti crease finishing of cotton fabric and their effects were evaluated. The properties of the samples have been investigated by measuring the resistant of samples against bacteria, crease recovery angle, abrasion, and washing fastness. The results showed that treated samples by pad-dry method have the best antibacterial effect with a direct relation between the increase in drying temperature and antibacterial properties. However, the washing and abrasion fastness were not at the acceptable level. Co-application of the colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles with the crease resistant materials improved both fastness properties while at the same time limited the direct contact between the nanoparticles and the bacteria so the antibacterial efficiency was reduced. Subsequently, it was concluded that the antibacterial finishing method should be selected according to the end uses. In addition, antibacterial treatment could be one of the multi-purpose finishes for cotton fabric.     

Evaluation of comfort properties of polyester knitted spacer fabrics finished with water repellent and antimicrobial agents

In order to impart barrier properties against water and microorganisms on breathable three dimensional spacer fabrics as medical or technical textiles, fabric samples were treated with two water repellent agents and a quaternary ammonium salt namely cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), using pad-dry-cure method. Two different water repellent agents based on hydrocarbon and acrylic copolymer were used. The water repellent property of samples was tested by Bundesmann and contact angle tests. Antimicrobial activity of samples was analyzed quantitatively according to AATCC 100. Simultaneous finishing of samples was done with 3 % CTAB and 4 % fluoroalkyl acrylic copolymer. To study the effect of various treatments on comfort related properties, air and water vapor permeability, water repellency and compression were measured. The results showed that the antimicrobial and water repellent spacer fabrics can be achieved applying selected material without significant changes on their comfort properties. Also a regression model was presented to predict the water vapour permeability of knitted spacer fabrics based on course density (CPC) changing.     

Preparation and characterization of silver-loaded hemp fibers with antimicrobial activity

The objective of this research was to impart antimicrobial properties to hemp fibers by incorporation of silver ions in hemp fibers by chemisorption. Sorption properties of hemp fibers were improved by non-selective oxidation using hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate. The optimal conditions for silver ions sorption by hemp fibers were determined by changing sorption conditions: pH value and concentration of aqueous silver nitrate solution, as well as duration of sorption. The maximum sorption capacity of modified hemp fibers was 1.84 mmol of Ag⁺ ions per gram of fibers. Antimicrobial activity of silver-loaded hemp fibers against different pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans was evaluated in vitro. Obtained silver-loaded hemp fibers show antimicrobial activity against tested pathogens.     

N-halamine-bonded cotton fabric with antimicrobial and easy-care properties

N-halamine precursor 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidinol (TMP), a hindered amine light stabilizer, was bonded onto cotton fabric by using 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) as a crosslinking agent. A variety of treating conditions including TMP concentration, curing temperature and time, and catalyst were studied. The treated fabrics were characterized using FTIR spectra and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The cotton fabric treated with TMP precursor could be rendered biocidal upon exposure to dilute household bleach. The chlorinated cotton swatches showed great efficacy and inactivated 100 % of Staphylococcus aureus with 7.1 log reduction with 5 min of contact and 83.25 % of E. coli O157:H7 at 10 min of contact. In addition, the wrinkle recovery angle of the treated cotton fabrics increased from 229 ° of untreated cotton fabrics to 253 °. This study provided a practical finishing process to produce cotton fabrics with easy care and antibacterial functionalities at the same time.     

In vitro assesment of antimicrobial activity and characteristics of polyamide 6/silver nanocomposite fibers

In this study, the preparation method and characteristics of silver (Ag) nanoparticle (NP) loaded polyamide 6 (PA6) nanocomposite and its antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. The melt intercalation method was used to prepare a series of PA 6 nanocomposite fibers containing, 0; 1; 3; 5 % (wt.) Ag. PA6/Ag nanocomposite fibers exhibit increased antimicrobial efficiency with the increase of nanoparticle contents. On the other hand, thermal characterization tests show that the increased concentration of Ag nanoparticles reduces the mechanical properties due to their partial agglomeration leading to flaw generation. The crystallinity of the fibers was found to decrease about 10 % with increase of Ag to 5 %. This was attributed to faster cooling rate experienced in the presence of high thermal conductivity Ag particles.     

Preparation and Properties of Antistatic Polyethylene Film Coated Polypropylene Non-woven Fabrics

In this paper, antistatic PE/PP coated non-woven fabrics were prepared by the coating process of the antistatic finished PE films and PP non-woven fabrics using the heat pressing process of the hot melt adhesives. The antistatic finishing of polyethylene (PE) films and polypropylene (PP) non-woven fabrics were processed by one face foam finishing and dip-pad finishing process, respectively. The antistatic properties of PE/PP coated non-woven fabrics which were influenced by the antistatic finishing processes and the thickness of PE films were investigated. The static charges transmission mechanism of these coated non-woven fabrics was illustrated. The results revealed that the static charges were transferred and dissipated by forming the continuous conductive path and network between the film-adhesive and adhesive-fabric due to the hot melt adhesion and squeezing of the antistatic agents existing inside of of the non-woven fabrics matrix and on the film surface. The antistatic properties of coated non-woven fabrics were improved with the increasing of the antistatic agent concentration on the finishing solution. And the antistatic properties of PE films were greatly influenced by the film thickness, the thinner of PE films the much more obvious improvement of the film surface antistatic properties. The finishing process wouldn’t reduce the peeling strength of the coated non-woven fabrics. The antistatic properties of the PE/PP coated non-woven fabrics possessed high washing durability due to the crosslinking fixation effect of the hot melt adhesives which wouldn’t be weakened after several times washing.     

Cotton fabric mechanical properties affected by post-finishing processes

Following the work done previously [1]. In this paper, the effect of various post-finishing agents on the low stress mechanical and surface properties of dyed cotton fabrics, as well as their handle value have been studied. The mechanical properties of the treated cotton fabrics were measured by the famous KES-FB system. It has been found that cotton fabric mechanical properties and fabric handle can be modified by not only the external finishing agents but also the internal finishing agents which are used for correcting the inherent defect of the fabrics. The results in this report will inform the textile industry in engineering required fabric properties with appropriate finishing processes.     

Development of antimicrobial medical cotton fabrics using synthesized nanoemulsion of reactive cyclodextrin hosted coconut oil inclusion complex

Reactive cyclodextrin (RCD) based nanoemulsion and loaded with coconut oil in presence of Tween 80 emulsifying agent for development of antimicrobial medical cotton fabrics is the subject of current research. RCD based nanoemulsion was prepared at different stirring duration, viz, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h in presence of Tween 80. This was done in order to induce varieties in size and morphology of the nanoemulsion. The coconut oil encapsulated RCD based nanocomposite was precipitated as powder using centrifugation technique for 60 min at 4500 rpm and the resulted powder was investigated using TEM and SEM techniques. The images that provided by these techniques confirmed the nano-sized scale of the coconut oil loaded RCD nanocomposite. In addition, the entrapment efficiency of coconut oil loaded RCD based nanoemulsion after centrifugation was calculated and was found to more than 93 %; this is a proof for the successful inclusion of the coconut oil inside the cavity of RCD molecules. Moreover, the obtained RCD based nanoemulsions were applied to bleached cotton fabrics as per the pad-dry-cure method. The as treated cotton fabrics were monitored for nitrogen content, add-on, mechanical properties and morphology vis-a-vis those similarly treated fabrics but using the as prepared microemulsion of RCD loaded with coconut oil in absence of Tween 80. The morphological structure of cotton fabrics treated with the nanoemulsion in question was also examined using SEM technique. Moreover, the biological activity of the nanoemulsion finished fabrics before and after being submitted to 20 washing cycles was investigated against different types of bacteria and fungi as per the inhibition zone method. Results obtained signify: (i) deposition on the fabric of coconut oil loaded RCD nanoemulsion; (ii) the add-on of the nanoemulsion on the surface of cotton fabric is a manifestation of the stirring duration, proofing the formation of ultrafine oil nanoemulsion which penetrates the fabric surface; (iii) the finished fabrics display antimicrobial activity with clear excellent inhibition zone even after 20 washing cycles, indicating the protection of these fabrics for human beings from harmful microbes. In conclusion, the cotton fabrics treated with nanoemulsion of RCD loaded coconut oil is considered as an effective super antimicrobial medical textile against pathogenic microorganisms of both bacteria and fungus species.     

Antimicrobial activity of β-CD finished and apricot kernel oil applied fabrics

β-CD, which is composed of glucopyranose, is nontoxic and environmentally friendly. In addition, β-CD has a troidal shape and hydrophobic internal cavity that can form a host-guest complex with hydrophobic materials. Apricot kernel oil (AKO) is used as a food that it contains amygdalin and exhibits high antimicrobial activity compared to many other types of seed oil. In this study, the fabrics finished with β-CD and then applied with AKO were examined for their antibacterial effects against gram-positive C. xerosis and S. aureus as well as gram-negative K. pneumoniae. The β-CD finished fabric exhibited antimicrobial activity due to the unreacted carboxyl groups located in the supramolecular nano-assembled polymer. Moreover, the fabrics finished with β-CD followed by AKO showed bactericidal activity against most microbes. In regard to the durability of the antimicrobial property against washing, β-CD finished only and together with AKO included fabrics lost their antibacterial property as the number of washes was increased. The excellent antimicrobial activity of the β-CD finished fabrics was regained by spraying with an AKO-containing ethanol solution. β-CD finishing and application of AKO simultaneously can ensure antimicrobial activity against a variety of microbes.     

The study of coloration and antibacterial efficiency of corona activated dyed polyamide and polyester fabrics loaded with Ag nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of dyeing on antibacterial efficiency of corona activated polyamide and polyester fabrics loaded with colloidal Ag nanoparticles as well as the influence of the presence of Ag nanoparticles on the color change of dyed fabrics. C.I. Acid Green 25 and C.I. Disperse Blue 3 were used for dyeing of polyamide fabrics and C.I. disperse violet 8 for polyester fabrics. The color change of polyamide fabrics depends on the dye type, which was generally lower compared to polyester fabrics. Antibacterial efficiency of Ag loaded fabrics was tested against Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. Corona activated polyester and polyamide fabrics showed excellent antibacterial efficiency independently of order of dyeing and Ag loading. The morphology of fibers loaded with Ag nanoparticles was assessed by SEM and atomic absorption spectroscopy for elemental analysis.     

Antimicrobial,UV-protective and self-cleaning properties of cotton fabrics coated by dip-coating and solvothermal coating methods

Multifunctional textiles have been widely investigated with antimicrobial, self-cleaning, UV-protective properties, etc. Especially sol-gel coating doped with bioactive agents and special agents provides to produce multifunctional textiles. In this study, dip-coating (pad-dry) and solvothermal (exhaustion) sol-gel processes were used for coating of cotton fabric with silica and titania sols to achieve the properties mentioned above. A quaternary ammonium salt and silver salts as antimicrobial doping agent were embedded in titania sols with or without silica. Antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) of the coated fabrics were characterized. The effect of precursors, doping agents and different sol-gel processes were also compared on performance properties of the fabric samples.     

Effect of Silver Particle size on color and Antibacterial properties of silk and cotton Fabrics

In this study silver nanoparticles with different particle sizes and hence colors were synthesized on silk and cotton fabrics through reduction of silver nitrate. Particle sizes of the silver colloids were measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The structure and properties of the treated fabrics were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopy. Various characteristics of the treated fabrics including antibacterial activities against a Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and a Gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, color effect, wash and light fastness, water absorption, fabric rigidity, and UV blocking properties were also assessed. The results indicated that the treated fabrics displayed different colors in the presence of silver nanoparticles with different particle sizes and exhibited good and durable fastness properties. Also, the size of the silver particles had a tangible effect on antibacterial activity of treated fabrics and its antibacterial performance was improved by decreasing the size of particles. Moreover, this process imparted significantly UV blocking activity to fabric samples.     

Optimization of enzymatic treatment of polyamide fabrics by bromelain

In this study, we investigated the effects of enzymatic hydrolysis on polyamide fabrics by using bromelain as an enzyme. The hydrolytic activity of bromelain was evaluated on the basis of the number of carboxylic groups formed on the surface of the polyamide fabrics, and it was measured using the reactive dye absorbance. In addition, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid was added as an indicator to measure the number of amino groups released into the treatment liquid by the changes in color of the liquid. The optimum treatment conditions were bromelain pH of 6.0, treatment time of 120 min, temperature of 50 °C, concentration of 10 % (owf), and L-cysteine concentration of 70 mM. The weight loss in the fabric after treatment with bromelain facilitated by L-cysteine significantly improved; however, the tensile strengths of the polyamide fabrics did not show any differences. Bromelain hydrolysis of the polyamide fabrics thus improved hydrophilicity without damaging the fabrics’ strength.     

Synthesis and Application of Polyurethane-Modified Silicone as Finishing Agent for Cotton Fabric

The polyurethane modified organic silicone (PU-SA) was successfully synthesized via step-by-step polymerization with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and polypropylene glycol (PPG) used as monomers, dibutyltindilaurate (DBTDL) as the catalyst, trimethylolpropane (TMP) and N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) as the chain extender, and amino-terminated siloxane (SA) as the blocking agent. The chemical structure of PU-SA was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that PUSA had been successfully finished on the surface. Additionally, the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated that the PU-SA treated fabrics showed low decomposition temperature and slightly high char residue. As a finishing agent, the effect of PU-SA on the handle of cotton fabrics was also studied by using a Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabrics (KES-F). The experimental results found that PU-SA had a significant improvement on the bending properties, surface properties, and compressional properties. Moreover, the mechanical and anti-wrinkle properties of the cotton fabrics were also enhanced.     

Application of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sterculia Foetida</Emphasis> Fruit Shell Waste Biomolecules on Silk for Aesthetic and Wellness Properties

There has been growing interest in the use of bioresource waste for natural dyeing and finishing. This paper discusses dye extraction from the novel source fruit shell waste of Sterculia foetida and its application on mulberry silk fabric to confer aesthetic coloration and wellness properties such as ultra-violet (UV) protection and antibacterial properties. Treated fabrics showed a substantial increase in color depth and adequate wash, light, and rubbing fastness properties for dyed silk fabrics with and without mordanting. Pre-and post-mordanting of silk fabrics were carried out using mordants such as alum, harda (myrobalan), and copper sulfate. UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis of fruit shell extract (FSE) at different pHs and FSE with three different mordants at neutral pH was used to understand the phenomena of dye-fiber interaction. The treated fabrics characterised by ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDS, and XRD analysis indicate the nature of dye fiber interaction justifying the multifunctional properties. The treated fabric also showed very good ultraviolet protection property and antibacterial properties both against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria even after ten washes. The results indicate that Sterculia foetida fruit shell extract offers an excellent potential as coloration, antibacterial, and ultraviolet protective agent for mulberry silk fabric.     

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles with sericin and functional finishing to cotton fabrics

This research presents a novel strategy to fabricate multi-functional cotton textiles. In this study, silver nanoparticles-sericin (Ag NPS-sericin) hybrid colloid has been prepared using sericin as reducing agent and dispersing agent. Cotton fabrics was oxidized selectively with sodium periodate (NaIO₄) to generate oxidized cotton fabrics, and which has then been finished using Ag NPS-sericin hybrid colloid prepared to obtain multi-functional cotton textiles. The finished cotton fabric not only possessed excellent antibacterial activity, but also it was modified functionally by sericin protein, which endowed antibacterial cotton fabrics relatively smooth surface and good wear ability. Fourier transform infrared spectrogram confirmed that sericin protein was grafted onto cellulose fibers. Ag NPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The results of SEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and EDS confirmed that silver nanoparticles and sericin been loaded successfully on the surface of cotton fabrics. The antibacterial experiments showed bacterial reduction rates of S.aureus and E.coli were able to reach above 99 %. After washing 20 times, it showed still good antibacterial activity at over 95 % against S.aureus and E.coli.     

Skin friendly antimicrobial characterization of natural glycyrrhiza extract on fabric

An attempt has been made in this paper to investigate antimicrobial property of glycyrrhiza extract on cotton fabric. Uniform glycyrrhiza powders were obtained by superfine grinding. The particle size distribution of powders was mostly around 1 μm. Effects of ultrasonic on dispersion capability of glycyrrhiza powders were investigated. With the extension of ultrasonic time the value of zeta potential decreased significantly from ?22 to ?31 mV. Flavanone compounds which exhibit inhibitory effects against multiple viruses were extracted by ethanol from superfine glycyrrhiza powders. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to test the antibacterial properties of the fabrics treated by glycyrrhiza extract. The results showed that the inhibition rates against S. aureus and E. coli were 81.75 and 73.81 % respectively indicating that the finished fabrics exhibited good antibacterial property. It retained about 30 % of its inhibition to S. aureus after 10 cycles of laundering. However, the fabrics treated with sol of glycyrrhiza exhibited more resistance to washing with 71.43 % inhibition rate after 5 times washing. The whiteness index of glycyrrhiza exact treated fabrics decreased from 93.28 to 90.22 % indicating that glycyrrhiza exact had little influence on the whiteness of fabrics.     

Comparative Performance of Copper and Silver Coated Stretchable Fabrics

The present work described the development of multifunctional, electrically conductive and durable fabrics by coating of silver and copper particles using a dipping-drying method. The particles were directly grown on fabric structure to form electrically conductive fibers. Particles were found to fill the spaces between the microfibers, and were stacked together to form networks with high electrical conductivity. The electrically conductive fabrics showed low resistance with high stretch ability. The utility of conductive fabrics was analyzed for electromagnetic shielding ability over frequency range of 30 MHz to 1.5 GHz. The EMI shielding was found to increase with increase in concentration of copper and silver particles. Furthermore, the heating performance of the copper and silver coated fabric was studied through measuring the change in temperature at the surface of the fabric while applying a voltage difference across the fabric. The maximum temperature (119°C for silver and 112°C for copper) were obtained when the applied voltage was 10 V. Moreover, the role of deposited particles on antibacterial properties was examined against pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. At the end, the durability of coated fabrics was examined against several washing cycles. The fabrics showed good retention of the particles, proved by small loss in the conductivity of the material after washing.     

Preparation and properties of acryloyloxy carboxylic perfluorooctyl ester copolymer for liquid repellent finishing of cotton

Monomer of acryloyl tri(1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluoro-octyl) citrate (FOC) and β-acryloyloxy 1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluoro-octyl propionate (FOP) were successfully synthesized and copolymerized with n-butyl acrylate by continuous process emulsion copolymerization. Thermal properties of resulting fluorinated copolymers were characterized by TGA. The water and oil repellency of the polymers used as textile finishing agent on cotton fabrics were investigated, and the surface energies were calculated. The X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) measurement showed strong surface enrichment of fluorinated segments.     

Synthesis of HBP-HTC and its application to cotton fabric as an antimicrobial auxiliary

A quaternary ammonium compound, 2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride amino-terminated hyper-branched polymer (HBP-HTC), was synthesized from an amino-terminated hyperbranched polymer (HBP-NH₂) and 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (EPTAC) as a grafting agent in aqueous solution. Its molecular weight and possible structure were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR). The cotton fabric was treated with 2 g/l HBP-HTC aqueous solution for 30 min at room temperature to provide the cotton fabric with antimicrobial properties. The antimicrobial activities of the HBP-HTC aqueous solutions and the HBP-HTC treated cotton fabrics were evaluated quantitatively. The results indicated that the HBP-HTC treated cotton fabric showed 99.92 % reduction of bacteria S. aureus and 99.66 % reduction of bacteria E. coli, respectively. The antimicrobial activities of the HBP-HTC treated cotton fabrics were maintained at over 99.00 % reduction level even after being exposed to 20 consecutive home laundering conditions.